The students of Murang’a High School last week mingled with the school’s old boys, who included Prof Simon Gicharu, founder and chair of Mount Kenya University (MKU), and Dr John Njoroge Kimani, lead scientist and chief scientific advisor at the Ministry of Defence, during a breakfast treat at the school.
The school’s alumni advised the students to remain focused and keep pushing to ensure they achieve their dreams of success today and in the years to come.
Prof Gicharu, who is also the founder of Rwanda’s Mount Kigali University and Cape Media Services, which owns TV47 and Radio 47, told the students to emulate those who had come before them, and even surpass them.
As the chairman of the Kenya Institute of Curriculum Development (KICD), Prof Gicharu assured the students and parents that the implementation of CBC is on course and all students will undertake mathematics in two options.
The alumni association had organised the special gathering with a view to sparking a sense of motivation and ambition among the students.
Prof Gicharu urged the students to diligently pursue their studies, saying, “the future of this country and of the world lies in your hands.”
“Your dreams, your ambitions, your efforts are what will drive you to be what you aspire to be in future,” he said.
He noted that humble beginnings should not limit the students, seeing how he and his fellow alumni used the same Murang’a High School facilities the students are using, and were able to make it in their own ways.
“We were also here, using the same classrooms, halls, hostels, and fields, etc., and we too had our dreams and made it. You too shall make it,” he said.
Prof Gicharu joined Murang’a High School for his A-Levels in 1983, where he served as dining hall captain and was in charge of the bread canteen.
It was at Murang’a High School that Prof Gicharu met Douglas Kanja, Kenya's Inspector General of Police, who was then the head boy. Kanja sent a message of goodwill to the students, also urging them to be well-disciplined.
Prof Gicharu also advised them to be the best they can be and to “always aspire to be nothing else but the best you can be, for you can be the best, strive to attain that.”
He also told students to take responsibility for their lives and to be men of patience, integrity, and good character.
Prof Gicharu advised the students to always embrace innovation and technology.
“In fact, this is not an option but a must-do. We are in the fourth industrial revolution, which describes the rapid advancement in technology as experienced in the 21st century that brings together the digital, physical, and biological worlds.”
“We have phones… which now control the way we relate with each other, making our lives easier. We are now forced to learn new phenomena such as Artificial Intelligence or AI, robotics, nanotechnology, and others.
“All these come with new opportunities and challenges. We must develop strong digital literacy skills. We must also understand and appreciate online safety, cybersecurity, and responsible social media usage. All these are indicators that we must all embrace lifelong learning so that we move with the fast-evolving technology.”
Prof Gicharu advised other Kenyans to go back to the high schools they attended and hold the hands of the young students. He noted that a surge in cases of indiscipline is due to students finding themselves directionless—something that can possibly be cured by school alumni occasionally visiting their alma maters and encouraging the young students.
Dr Kimani, the chief scientific advisor at the Ministry of Defence, encouraged students, tracking his life from Murang’a High School for his O-Levels and later to Njiiri School for his A-Levels, to being appointed the founding chief executive of the Kenya Space Agency.
“When Kenya created the Kenya Space Agency, an old boy of Murang’a High School became the founding chief executive of the agency. This school is capable of producing doctors, engineers, and scientists,” he said.
He said that the government is setting up a programme that will enable students to interact with robots and microsatellites at an early age and told Murang’a High School students that the school is among those earmarked to benefit from such programmes.
He further encouraged the students that there are opportunities for hardworking students.
“Do not let anyone discourage you that there is no work and that there is no point in pursuing education. All these people seated before you (alumni) are a testament that there is work. All you need to do is have discipline, order, and determination,” he said, encouraging them to find mentors who will walk with them on the journey to complete their studies and settle into their careers of choice.
“What you need to do is identify somebody who can hold your hand… the future for you is bright and you are not alone.”
